"In the court-house!" exclaimed Bertha, who was better acquainted with legal affairs than her pupil.
"Yes, for setting the boat-house afire."
"I don't think they intended to take you to the court-house."
"O, I know they did. I have had two constables after me; but I got away from them. Besides, I heard Squire Wriggs say they were going to take me to the court-house. I heard him say so myself."
"Perhaps it is so," said Bertha, musing. "Squire Wriggs came to see father yesterday morning. They went out together, and were speaking of you as they left the house."
"I'm glad you didn't have anything to do with it," said Noddy, delighted to find that Bertha was not one of his persecutors.
Then, with the utmost simplicity, and apparently with the feeling that he was a persecuted youth, he told her everything that had occurred from the time he first saw Mr. Grant and Squire Wriggs on the lawn.
"I don't know what my father's plans are," said Bertha, sadly; "but he thinks it is no longer safe to permit you to roam about the place. He is afraid you will set the house on fire, or do some other terrible thing."
"But I wouldn't, Miss Bertha," protested Noddy.
"Why did you do such a wicked thing?"